Mining/Geology

Opals and Agates – or Scenes under the Southern Cross and The Magelhans – Nehemiah Barley – First Edition 1892.

A first edition of this unusual reminiscence by Nehemiah Bartley, Queensland identity of the later 1800’s.

Published by Gordan and Gotch, Melbourne etc in 1892. Octavo, 311 pages, with nine illustrations. Original embossed red cloth covered boards, gilt titles. Some ageing, rear hinge fraying, very good and clean internally for what is an often foxed book.

Well, Bartley got about and knew many people of consequence in the day. The style of writing is very usual, with a seemingly obsessive attention to detail and a rather meandering structure.

He opens much time in Tasmania, with an interesting image from Beattie of snow on Mount Wellington and three masters in the dock. Time in the Pacific Islands with good references to Tonga and Samoa. Back to Swann Hill in Victoria and then up to Queensland. Mount Morgan and the gold rush, many identities and locations. Bullock driving a list of the largest nuggets then found (including Scotland!) and some rather strange lightly connected content … poetry, the Brisbane Cup and the Melbourne Cup.

Bartley’s reminiscences from 1840-1890 – Australia and Beyond

$140.00

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Gold Mine Cyanide Vats, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – Issued by Newton & Co 1913

An original magic lantern slide showing substantial early cyanide vats used for gold extraction, Western Australia, by Newton & Co, London. This formed part of a set on Australasia sold in 1913.

A very substantial structure, we are counting fourteen vats, maybe more – so likely to be at Kalgoorlie – let use know if you have specific information or a more informed guess.

Newton & Co were formed in 1858. In the period 1912-1925 they had premises in Covent Garden, London.

Standard size circa 3.5 inches or 8 cm by 8 cm. Some soiling leaked into lower area – the image mostly in very good condition.

Cyaniding for Gold in Western Australia over a hundred years ago.

$40.00

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Open Cut Mine, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – Issued by Newton & Co 1913

An original magic lantern slide showing an open cut mine, Western Australia, by Newton & Co, London. This formed part of a set on Australasia sold in 1913.

We are not sure of the precise mine and whether it was exclusively open cut given the head gear – but it was certainly active given the chimney smoke. Very nice definition – any one recognise it before our research drives Voyager mad – let us know please.

Newton & Co were formed in 1858. In the period 1912-1925 they had premises in Covent Garden, London.

Standard size circa 3.5 inches or 8 cm by 8 cm.

Strong image of Western Australia Mining activity over a hundred years ago.

$80.00

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Recent Discovery of Gold at Oaks View near Rockhampton – Queensland Department of Mines Geological Survey No 199 – Lionel C Ball – 1905

Lionel Ball was the Assistant Government Geologist at the time and author of many of the good standard surveys at the very start of the 1900’s.

Bound in original olive green card covers. Title to front and repeated inside. A total of 11 pages with map of area and two images from photographs – the Hill and the Main Workings.has been folded at some time causing minor splits, generally a good copy.

Oaks View Hill is near Canoona, four miles north of the then Oaks Station and, 45 miles from Rockhampton.

The hill is about half a mile long and one third across rising to 150 feet – the rocks are chiefly quartzites and schists.

In October 1903, W.S. Thomason discovered gold on the surface at Oaks View Hill. Nothing was done until the following February when on showing the place to relatives, some minor effort showed payable gold. Reward claims were allotted and the good results started a mini-rush. By the end of 1904 a company was floated and capital raised. Other adventurers took up positions around the primary claim.

The small but detailed sketch map has some curiosity as in the finest of hands someone with clear interest has made annotations.

We do know that Ball came back the next year and things has moved forward significantly with heavy gear having been purchased. However, there were issues with the lack of water, and we are not sure what eventuated.

The history is difficult to track and can be easily confused with the Oaks Mine further north

The beginning of a story? The discovery of payable gold at oaks View Hill.

$50.00

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Gold Workings at Perry Scrub – Queensland Department of Mines Geological Survey No 184 – Lionel C Ball – 1903

Lionel Ball was the Assistant Government Geologist at the time and author of many of the good standard surveys at the very start of the 1900’s.

Bound in original olive green card covers. Title to front and repeated inside. Narrative comprises 14 pages with map of area and relevant diagrams.

“The Perry (Good-night or Tenningering) Scrub extends in the form of a narrow belt from saint Agnes Creek, on the north, to the Burnett River west of Paradise, on the south, crossing the Perry River about 6 miles above its junction with the Burnett”.

The conclusion is ambivalent – a number of early diggings have been abandoned – others showing some promise. The key thing being loads of surface quartz so really those trying were scratching. Even today a wonder around the area can show up some decent nuggets – see online.

Perry Scrub another neglected one to ponder about

$50.00

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Mining Smelting Railways of the Rosebery region [Western Tasmania] – Ian Stewart – 1984

We really admire the likes of Ian Stewart who put the effort in to gather, digest and present histories of the likes of Rosebery and its surrounding region at the very heart of geology and mining in Tasmania – so much potentially to be forgotten history.

Published in 194 as a second edition – we cannot find a first and only one other second for sale. Would have been produced in small numbers.

Sponsored by the EZ Mining Company. Larger format card covers, deign to front, staple bound, 70 pages. Acknowledgements inside back cover, map of the region including the railways and tram lines, many images from period photographs, very grainy images but forgive them for their relevance and rarity.

Whilst focused around Rosebery [our favourite continuing Tasmanian mine] we have good content on Dundas, Mt Williamsford and Zeehan and its before time smelter capacity [Originally German owned and taken at the outset of WWI]. The rapid development and demise of Dundas – the two foot rail gauge and the politics around the Emu Bay destination all add interest.

Rosebery Mining a fascinating history

$50.00

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Opals and Agates – or Scenes under the Southern Cross and The Magelhans – Nehemiah Barley – First Edition 1892.

Gold Mine Cyanide Vats, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – Issued by Newton & Co 1913

Open Cut Mine, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – Issued by Newton & Co 1913

Recent Discovery of Gold at Oaks View near Rockhampton – Queensland Department of Mines Geological Survey No 199 – Lionel C Ball – 1905

Gold Workings at Perry Scrub – Queensland Department of Mines Geological Survey No 184 – Lionel C Ball – 1903

Mining Smelting Railways of the Rosebery region [Western Tasmania] – Ian Stewart – 1984

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